Taurus 608, thoughts?

Currently, my only revolver is an early-70's Dan Wesson .357 that was handed down to me when my father passed. It doesn't get any range time, but I keep it handy in my desk at home, or in my truck when I'm on road trips. My EDC/CCW is a Glock 26.

I was considering purchasing a 1911 for open carry / motorcycle carry, but lately the concept of an 8-shot .357 has been catching my eye. Same shot count, but in .357 instead of .45 (of which, not trying to start a caliber debate, I personally would rather have the .357)

Does anyone have any experience with the Taurus 608, or can recommend any other common (common enough to be able to find at a LGS or gun show) 8-shot .357s? Also, does the 608 match a "frame" (n-frame, k-frame) size that finding a holster would be easy for?

Also, to bump this with a follow up question... I know recoil on a little J-Frame is insane with the .357 (at least it is for me); with a nice large-frame 6"bbl revolver, what sort of recoil can I expect with .357 SD loads?

Action_Can_Do

February 13, 2013, 09:23 PM

I owned a really nice 608 for several years. That sucker was wicked accurate. Size wise it's the same a Smith N-frame, but the frame is thicker which makes the gun heavier than a comparable N-frame. I never holstered mine so I can't really give you an answer as to holster fit. The 608 is so heavy that even the heaviest 357 loads are tame in it.

Lowshot

February 13, 2013, 10:43 PM

I've had my 6" 608 for ten years, thousands of .357 mag rounds.
Great range gun, never any problems.
Uncle Mikes #3 shoulder holster works out best for me.

barnbwt

February 13, 2013, 11:36 PM

If you don't mind the price, there's some very nice 8-shot six-shooters from S&W. I have one of the lightweight versions, the TRR8, which has been nothing if not fantastic. Recoil is no issue on a frame/grip as large as an N-frame, aluminum frame not withstanding. The problem many have with them is simply that they are too large to hold, and concealing them is difficult. In the case of the TRR8, holsters are scarce, though there are several options that work (Bianchi X15).

TCB

Thursday45

February 14, 2013, 07:22 PM

I'd rather have the 357 too but it is, like you said, a personal preference. I know a lot of people love Taurus and a lot of people hate Taurus. They have a good price point and a lot of, well, interesting concepts. I've bought one Taurus and it's currently in Florida for repair. So far so good with their customer service though (life time warranty too). I looked real hard at the 608 as a woods gun. I loved the idea of 8 rounds of 357 and with its price point it was very tempting but seeing as I am in grizz country I went with a 44 mag instead. I still may some day pick up a 608 but I think my GP100 will hold my 357 hunger for a bit.

Despite the issues Ive had with my Taurus, a friend of mine has had a Taurus 357 (not the 608 though) for over 20 years and he trusts it with his life as a woods gun. I say give it a try. If you're not stuck on having to have 8 shots you may also want to give the Ruger GP100 a look. I love mine.

Onward Allusion

February 14, 2013, 08:52 PM

I got one in SS & 6" barrel. I've shot Buffalo Bore out of it and a couple of other full house 357 loads. Two words. . . . .What recoil? When shooting 38 Special target loads out of it, it's like shooting a 22LR. I am being serious here.

I bought it from a LGS; the thing was a custom job that was stock & torn down and rebuilt with some parts polished off and replaced. All I can say is that it is one of the smoothest triggers I've ever felt. The only down side is that the porting makes for a brighter than average flash in dim conditions. It's a great gun but not for CCW.

dawei

February 14, 2013, 09:07 PM

While the 608 would be a GREAT range, and/or truck gun; it's way too heavy for a CCW gun. Please understand that I AM NOT a Taurus® basher; I have 10 Taurus revolvers and I love them all!

A much better solution IMHO for you would be a Taurus® Mdl 617 or 627 revolver. take a look here...........
• http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=260&category=Revolver&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=
• http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=265&category=Revolver&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=

These two guns are much lighter than the 608; yet heavy enough to tame 357 Magnum recoil, ESPECIALLY W/158gr AMMUNITION.

g_one

February 14, 2013, 10:04 PM

Thanks a lot for the input guys... I'm definitely leaning more and more towards the 608 and away from the 1911.

My first handgun (bought it when I turned 18 and didn't know ANYTHING about firearms) was a Taurus 82, 38spl - I was really happy with it, ended up selling it to a buddy of mine for dirt cheap because his gun was stolen. But I never had any problems with it as long as I owned it. Since then I've been a strictly semi-auto guy, been through FNH and Glock and loved them all, but something is drawing me back to the revolvers lately and I have to say I don't think I'm going to regret it

MCgunner

February 14, 2013, 10:06 PM

I have the M66 Taurus, actually two of 'em. The new ones are 7 shooters, mine are 6 shooters. It's a medium frame gun, MUCH handier to carry than the 608 and I do NOT find full power .357 that hard to handle in a medium frame gun. My 3" runs 35 ounces or so.

I carry my 3" 66 sometimes and if Texas approves open carry this legislative season, I'll carry it a lot more OWB under a T shirt knowing I won't go to jail if it "flashes". Taurus no longer makes the 66 in a 3", but the 4" ain't but several ounces heavier and carried OWB open carry, ain't hard to tote.

I like the 3" barrel length in the caliber, but medium frame guns are hard to find in 3" now days and Smiths, if you do find one, ain't affordable. Taurus offers the 5 shot .357s in 3", but not the 7 shot 66s. If I were to buy a 5 shooter, it'd be another SP101. I loved the one I had for a while, but would prefer the 3" version.

Oh, btw, my 66s are superbly accurate, too, as is my little 85SSUL. I've yet to meet the Taurus revolver that didn't show outstanding accuracy. It is what endures me to them, along with a reasonable price.